Early Growth Process Research Articles

Muscle Transcriptome Analysis of Mink at Different Growth Stages Using RNA-Seq.

Mink is a kind of small and precious fur animal resource. In this study, we employed transcriptomics technology to analyze the gene expression profile of mink pectoral muscle tissue, thereby elucidating the regulatory mechanisms underlying mink growth and development. Consequently, a total of 25,954 gene expression profiles were acquired throughout the growth and development stages of mink at 45, 90, and 120 days. Among these profiles, 2607 genes exhibited significant differential expression (|log2(fold change)| ≥ 2 and p_adj < 0.05). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were primarily associated with the mitotic cell cycle process, response to growth factors, muscle organ development, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, GSEA enrichment analysis demonstrated a significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in the p53 signaling pathway at 45 days of age. Subsequent analysis revealed that genes associated with embryonic development (e.g., PEG10, IGF2, NRK), cell cycle regulation (e.g., CDK6, CDC6, CDC27, CCNA2), and the FGF family (e.g., FGF2, FGF6, FGFR2) were all found to be upregulated at 45 days of age in mink, which suggested a potential role for these genes in governing early growth and developmental processes. Conversely, genes associated with skeletal muscle development (PRVA, TNNI1, TNNI2, MYL3, MUSTN1), a negative regulator of the cell cycle gene (CDKN2C), and IGFBP6 were found to be up-regulated at 90 days of age, suggesting their potential involvement in the rapid growth of mink. In summary, our experimental data provide robust support for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms underlying the growth and development of mink.

Photosynthetically active radiation is required for seedling growth promotion by volcanic dacitic tuff breccia (Azomite).

A plant's growth and development are shaped by its genome and the capacity to negotiate its environment for access to light, water, and nutrients. There is a vital need to understand the interactions between the plant, its physical environment, and the fertilizers used in agriculture. In this study, a commercially available volcanic ash fertilizer, Azomite®, characterized as dacitic (rhyolitic) tuff breccia, was tested for its effect on promoting early seedling vigor. Early growth and photomorphogenesis processes are well studied in Arabidopsis. Seedling assays under different light conditions were used to dissect the underlying mechanisms involved. These assays are well established and can be translated to agriculturally important crop plants. The volcanic ash fertilizer was tested at different concentrations on seedlings grown on basic media lacking sucrose either in continuous darkness (Dc), continuous Red (Rc), Far-Red (FRc), or White Light (WLc). Micronutrients in the volcanic ash significantly increased seedling growth under Rc and WLc, but not under Dc and FRc, indicating that photosynthetically active radiation was required for the observed growth increase. Furthermore, red-light photoreceptor mutant, phyB-9, lacked the growth response, and higher amount of fertilizer reduced growth in all conditions tested. These data suggest that light triggers the ability of the seedling to utilize micronutrients in volcanic ash in a dose-dependent manner. The methods described here can be used to establish mechanisms of activity of various nutrient inputs and, coupled with whole-genome expression profiling, can lead to better insights into optimizing nutrient field applications to improve crop production.

Crop Classification and Growth Monitoring in Coal Mining Subsidence Water Areas Based on Sentinel Satellite

In high groundwater level mining areas, subsidence resulting from mining can lead to waterlogging in farmland, causing damage to crops and affecting their growth and development, thereby affecting regional food security. Therefore, it is necessary to restore agricultural production in the coal mining subsidence water areas in the densely populated eastern plains. This study focuses on the Yongcheng coal mining subsidence water areas. It utilizes Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data from May to October in the years 2019 to 2022 to monitor the growth and development of crops. The results demonstrated that (1) the accuracy of aquatic crops categorization was improved by adjusting the elevation of the study region with Mining Subsidence Prediction Software (MSPS 1.0). The order of accuracy for classifying aquatic crops using different machine learning techniques is Random Forest (RF) &gt; Classification and Regression Trees (CART) ≥ Support Vector Machine (SVM). Using the RF method, the obtained classification results can be used for subsequent crop growth monitoring. (2) During the early stages of crop growth, when vegetation cover is low, the Radar Vegetation Index (RVI) is sensitive to the volume scattering of crops, making it suitable for tracking the early growth processes of crops. The peak RVI values for crops from May to July are ranked in the following order: rice (2.595), euryale (2.590), corn (2.535), and lotus (2.483). (3) The order of crops showing improved growth conditions during the mid-growth stage is as follows: rice (47.4%), euryale (43.4%), lotus (27.6%), and corn (4.01%). This study demonstrates that in the Yongcheng coal subsidence water areas, the agricultural reclamation results for the grain-focused model with rice as the main crop and the medicinal herb-focused model with euryale as the main crop are significant. This study can serve as a reference for agricultural management and land reclamation efforts in other coal subsidence water areas.

Early age hydration and autogenous shrinkage of blended cement containing brick powder

Early age hydration and autogenous shrinkage of blended cement containing brick powder (BP) was investigated using hydration heat, internal relative humidity (IRH) and 1H NMR methods. The results show that BP can promoting the early nucleation and growth process of cement. The unique porous structure of BP gives it water absorption property, which plays a role in internal curing. The internal curing effect of BP reduced the rate of decrease of IRH in cement paste and effectively reduced the autogenous shrinkage of cement paste. These findings suggest that moderate adjustment of the dosage of BP can effectively promote the hydration and control the autogenous shrinkage of cement-based materials.

Early Stage Growth Process of Dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2',3'‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (DNTT) Thin Film

The early stage growth of dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2',3'‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophenes (DNTTs) thin films are investigated using grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXD) and surface morphology analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The thin‐film growth conditions are controlled using a slow deposition method. The vertical orientation of DNTT is confirmed from the growth of the first layer using GIXD. The morphologies of the first‐layer grains are universal in the growth rate range of 0.155–0.017 ML min−1. In addition, the dependence of the nuclei density on the deposition flow rate indicates that two molecules (dimers) are required for nucleation. This result suggests that fewer molecules are sufficient for nucleation in the case of DNTT compared to pentacene thin film growth on SiO2.

Smart Implant with Bacteria Monitoring and Killing Ability for Orthopedic Applications.

Bacterial infections around implants constitute a significant cause of implant failures. Early recognition of bacterial adhesion is an essential factor in preventing implant infections. Therefore, an implant capable of detecting and disinfecting initial bacterial adhesion is required. This study reports on the development of an intelligent solution for this issue. We developed an implant integrated with a biosensor electrode based on alternating current (AC) impedance technology to monitor the early growth process of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and its elimination. The biosensor electrode was fabricated by coating polypyrrole (PPy) doped with sodium p-toluenesulfonate (TSONa) on titanium (Ti) surfaces. Monitoring the change in resistance using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), combined with an equivalent circuit model (ECM), enables the monitoring of the early adhesion of E. coli. The correlation with the classical optical density (OD) monitoring value reached 0.989. Subsequently, the eradication of bacteria on the electrode surface was achieved by applying different voltages to E. coli cultured on the electrode surface, which caused damage to E. coli. Furthermore, in vitro cellular experiments showed that the PPy coating has good biocompatibility and can promote bone differentiation.

The phenomenon of allelopathy in the joint germination of alfalfa changeable and galega orientalis with winter soft wheat

The effect of allelopathy in the joint germination of winter soft wheat with alfalfa changeable and galega orientalis is studied. The influence of alfalfa changeable and galega orientalis on the indicators of early growth processes of winter soft wheat and vice versa was evaluated. In the experiment with alfalfa, the laboratory germination and root length of wheat decreased by 4-21% and by 3-10%, the number of roots and the length of the sprout increased to 22% and 8-29%, respectively. In the experiment with galega, the laboratory germination, root length and the number of roots of wheat decreased by 7-15%, 7-16% and by 4-6%, respectively. The incidence of fungal diseases of wheat seedlings decreased by 8-38% in experiment with alfalfa and by 16-54% in experiment with galega. In alfalfa and galega when sown with winter wheat, the hardness of seeds decreased by 2–12 and 1–5%, respectively.

Growth of early Paleozoic continental crust linked to the Proto-Tethys subduction and continental collision in the East Kunlun Orogen, northern Tibetan Plateau

The East Kunlun Orogen (EKO) in the northern Tibetan Plateau records two continental collisional orogenic events and magmatism in early Paleozoic and early Mesozoic. However, possible magmatic additions to the continental crust growth of the EKO in different tectonic stages of early Paleozoic collisional orogeny have been overlooked. Three phases of early Paleozoic plutons from the Xiangride-Kuhai area in the east of the EKO have been chosen for detailed investigation and the results are reported here. The oldest magmatic suite (Stage 1) includes the ca. 471 Ma Qurelong Monzodiorite and ca. 454 Ma granodiorite in the Zhiyu Intrusive Complex. The monzodiorite has a sanukitoid-like composition with high TiO2 and Y contents and is interpreted as being derived from partial melting of metasomatized mantle wedge lherzolite. The granodiorite is typified by its high SiO2 content, high Sr/Y ratio, and depleted Hf isotope, and is interpreted as an adakite-like melt derived from the melting of a subducted Proto-Tethys oceanic crust. The magmatism can be linked to northward subduction of the Proto-Tethys Ocean between 520 and 450 Ma. Stage 2 magmatism is represented by a plutonic suite emplaced during ca. 450−431 Ma with an I-type granitic composition. Of these, the ca. 447 Ma Kengdenongshe Intrusion composed of peraluminous granite with enriched Nd-Hf isotopes is indicative of a Mesoproterozoic igneous source in the orogen. The ca. 450−434 Ma monzogranite and granodiorite in the Walega and Zhiyu intrusive complexes exhibit variable element and isotope compositions. They would have been generated by magma mixing of felsic melts from the old crust and mafic magmas derived from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, with a mafic melt proportion of &amp;gt;30%. The ca. 431 Ma quartz diorite in the Walega Intrusive Complex is formed through crustal assimilation and fractional crystallization of mafic magmas derived from the metasomatized lithospheric mantle, with a mafic melt proportion &amp;gt;60%. Stage 2 suite was emplaced during the closure of Proto-Tethys oceanic branches and subsequent continental collision during 450−426 Ma. Magmatism diminished between ca. 426 and 410 Ma during exhumation of the continental lithosphere as indicated by the presence of retrograde eclogites in the EKO. Stage 3 magmatic suite includes the ca. 408 Ma Langmuri Intrusion and ca. 403 Ma Niantang Syenogranite. These plutons are adakite-like or have an A-type granitic composition and are enriched in Nd-Hf isotopes. They might have been derived from the remelting of old and juvenile continental crust in a post-collisional extensional setting during 410−390 Ma. Identification of partial melts, derived from the subducted Proto-Tethys oceanic crust and metasomatized lithospheric mantle in stage 1 and 2 plutons, show that the subcrustal materials have been significantly transferred to the overlying continental crust. Hence the magmatism in oceanic subduction (Stage 1) and continental collision (Stage 2) settings contributes to the early Paleozoic juvenile continental crust growth of the EKO. The post-collisional extensional setting (Stage 3) is dominated by the reworking of a pre-existing continental crust. The early Paleozoic continental crust growth processes in the EKO are different from the previous view in which the continental collision orogens have no crust growth, and inconsistent with the proposal that crust growth is significant only in a continental collision setting.

On the relation between apparent ion and total particle growth rates in the boreal forest and related chamber experiments

Abstract. The understanding of new particle formation and growth processes is critical for evaluating the role of aerosols in climate change. One of the knowledge gaps is the ion–particle interaction during the early growth process, especially in the sub-3 nm range, where direct observations are sparse. While molecular interactions would imply faster growth rates of ions compared to neutral particles, this phenomenon is not widely observed in the atmosphere. Here, we show field measurements in the boreal forest indicating a smaller apparent growth rate of the ion population compared to the total particles. We use aerosol dynamics simulations to demonstrate that this effect can be caused by the changing importance of ion-induced nucleation mechanisms during the day. We further compare these results with chamber experiments under similar conditions, where we demonstrate that this effect critically depends on the abundance of condensable vapors and the related strength of ion-induced nucleation. Our results imply that atmospheric ion growth rate measurements below 3 nm need to be evaluated very carefully as they do not represent condensational growth alone but are influenced by ion–particle population interactions.

Mechanism of artificial surface defect induced cracking for very high cycle fatigue of Ti alloys

In-situ observation of crack growth and electron backscatter diffraction observation of microstructure around artificial surface defect and at mated crack surfaces are conducted for very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) of TC17 alloy. The artificial surface defect induced VHCF failure presents no slow process of crack initiation and early growth accompanied with nanograin formation commonly observed for internal cracking induced VHCF. It is attributed to the synergistic effect of cyclic stress with time dependent process (e.g. the influence of moisture, action of hydrogen, etc.). The nanograins and deformation twins are also observed in some α grains at or near crack surfaces.

Rootstock-Mediated Genetic Variance in Cadmium Uptake by Juvenile Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) Genotypes, and Its Effect on Growth and Physiology.

Grafting typically offers a shortcut to breed tree orchards throughout a multidimensional space of traits. Despite an overwhelming spectrum of rootstock-mediated effects on scion traits observed across several species, the exact nature and mechanisms underlying the rootstock-mediated effects on scion traits in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) plants often remain overlooked. Therefore, we aimed to explicitly quantify rootstock-mediated genetic contributions in recombinant juvenile cacao plants across target traits, specifically cadmium (Cd) uptake, and its correlation with growth and physiological traits. Content of chloroplast pigments, fluorescence of chlorophyll a, leaf gas exchange, nutrient uptake, and plant biomass were examined across ungrafted saplings and target rootstock × scion combinations in soils with contrasting levels of Cd. This panel considered a total of 320 progenies from open-pollinated half-sib families and reciprocal full-sib progenies (derived from controlled crosses between the reference genotypes IMC67 and PA121). Both family types were used as rootstocks in grafts with two commercial clones (ICS95 and CCN51) commonly grown in Colombia. A pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (A-BLUP) mixed model was implemented to quantify rootstock-mediated narrow-sense heritability (h2) for target traits. A Cd effect measured on rootstocks before grafting was observed in plant biomass, nutrient uptake, and content of chloroplast pigments. After grafting, damage to the Photosystem II (PSII) was also evident in some rootstock × scion combinations. Differences in the specific combining ability for Cd uptake were mostly detected in ungrafted rootstocks, or 2 months after grafting with the clonal CCN51 scion. Moderate rootstock effects (h2> 0.1) were detected before grafting for five growth traits, four nutrient uptake properties, and chlorophylls and carotenoids content (h2 = 0.19, 95% CI 0.05–0.61, r = 0.7). Such rootstock effects faded (h2< 0.1) when rootstock genotypes were examined in soils without Cd, or 4 months after grafting. These results suggest a pervasive genetic conflict between the rootstock and the scion genotypes, involving the triple rootstock × scion × soil interaction when it refers to Cd and nutrient uptake, early growth, and photosynthetic process in juvenile cacao plants. Overall, deepening on these findings will harness early breeding schemes of cacao rootstock genotypes compatible with commercial clonal scions and adapted to soils enriched with toxic levels of Cd.

The standard operating procedure for Airmodus Particle Size Magnifier and nano-Condensation Nucleus Counter

Measurements of aerosol particles and clusters smaller than 3 nm in diameter are performed by many groups in order to detect recently formed or emitted nanoparticles and for studying the formation and early growth processes of aerosol particles. The Airmodus nano-Condensation Nucleus Counter (nCNC), consisting of a Particle Size Magnifier (PSM) and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) is a versatile tool to detect aerosol particles and clusters as small as ca. 1 nm in mobility diameter. It offers several different operation modes: fixed mode to measure the total particle number concentration with a fixed, but adjustable lower cut-off size and stepping and scanning modes for retrieving size-resolved information of ca. 1–4 nm particles. The size analysis is based on changing the supersaturation of the working fluid (diethylene glycol) inside the instrument, which changes the lowest detectable size. Here we present a standard operating procedure (SOP) for setting up, calibrating and operating the instrument for atmospheric field measurements. We will also present recommendations for data monitoring and analysis, and discuss some of the uncertainties related to the measurements. This procedure is the first step in harmonizing the use of the PSM/nCNC for atmospheric field measurements of sub-3 nm clusters and particles.

Pola Asuh Orang Tua dan Lingkungan Sosial dalam Menumbuhkan Akidah pada Anak Usia Dini

As the main burden of family education, growing the creed from an early age must be closely monitored by parents. Aqidah education given to children by the family can be used as a step to keep them from deviant behavior and free them from moral depravity. In order for high moral children to realize this, as parents, one must instill a high creed. Therefore, along with the higher trust in children, the pattern of parental guidance is very important in doing it early on. The formulation of the problem is how the pattern of parental guidance and the social environment that develops beliefs or beliefs to early childhood and the factors that affect it. The purpose of this study is to find out the parenting and social environment in cultivating early childhood faith and the factors that affect the process of early childhood faith growth. This research is a library research technique (library research) data collection technique in this study is to read and record the information contained in the data.The results of this study suggest that parental parenting and social environments can increase trust in early childhood. In increasing early childhood confidence there are various methods that can be lived by parents is to educate habituation, example, advice and praise or reprimand. While in growing the faith in children precisely in the social environment that can be done by getting used to good things in children and paying attention to the child's social association. If the parenting of parents and the social environment in growing the creed in children is good, it will affect the character of the child.

The early growth process of helium blistering in tungsten and molybdenum: First-principles and statistical model calculations

Based on first-principles simulations combined with statistical physical model, we have performed systematically the investigations on the nucleation and the early growth process of helium (He) blistering in W and Mo. The thermodynamics and structural stability of He-vacancy complexes (HenVm) have been explored in detail. The energy-demand has been determined for He blistering nucleation, indicating that one mono-vacancy can capture up to eight He atoms. To trap more He atoms, the mono-vacancy must emit a Frenkel-pair to release the extensive stress in the vicinity of W/Mo lattice. In comparison with the HenV complex, the HenVm (e.g. HenV9) complex exhibits a relatively lower energy-demand for the nucleation and growth of He blistering. Based on statistical physical analysis, the chemical potential of He can significantly affect He blistering nucleation and growth. Two critical chemical potentials of He are found to be especially important. One indicates the transformation from a He atom to multiple He atoms trapped by one mono-vacancy, while the other illuminates He-caused superabundant vacancy formation which in turn attracts more He atoms to make the blistering grow even bigger, resulting into a cascading effect in both W and Mo.

Microstructure of early embryonic aortic arch and its reversibility following mechanically altered hemodynamic load release.

In the embryonic heart, blood flow is distributed through a bilaterally paired artery system composed of the aortic arches (AAs). The purpose of this study is to establish an understanding of the governing mechanism of microstructural maturation of the AA matrix and its reversibility, toward the desired macroscopic vessel lumen diameter and thickness for healthy, abnormal, and in ovo repaired abnormal mechanical loading. While matrix-remodeling mechanisms were significantly different for normal versus conotruncal banding (CTB), both led to an increase in vessel lumen. Correlated with right-sided flow increase at Hamburger & Hamilton stages 21, intermittent load switching between collagen I and III with elastin and collagen-IV defines the normal process. However, decreases in collagen I, elastin, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, and fibrillin-1 in CTB were recovered almost fully following the CTB-release model, primarily because of the pressure load changes. The complex temporal changes in matrix proteins are illustrated through a predictive finite-element model based on elastin and collagen load-sharing mechanism to achieve lumen area increase and thickness increase resulting from wall shear stress and tissue strain, respectively. The effect of embryonic timing in cardiac interventions on AA microstructure was established where abnormal mechanical loading was selectively restored at the key stage of development. Recovery of the normal mechanical loading via early fetal intervention resulted in delayed microstructural maturation. Temporal elastin increase, correlated with wall shear stress, is required for continuous lumen area growth.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study undertakes comparative analyses of the mechanistic differences of the arterial matrix microstructure and dynamics in the three fundamental processes of control, conotruncal banded, and released conotruncal band in avian embryo. Among other findings, this study provides specific evidence on the restorative role of elastin during the early lumen growth process. During vascular development, a novel intermittent load-switching mechanism between elastin and collagen, triggered by a step increase in wall shear stress, governs the chronic vessel lumen cross-sectional area increase. Mimicking the fetal cardiovascular interventions currently performed in humans, the early release of the abnormal mechanical load rescues the arterial microstructure with time lag.

Intercropping Agricultural Practices by Improving Maize Early Growth Process: A Bio-Statistical Approach

Fertile soil pressure represents a crucial concern vis-a-vis of agricultural crop yield improvement in several southern countries. Environmental concerns and soil low fertility as well as a rapid demographic development and as well intensive industrial exploitation with regard ground resource, drastically contribute in reducing agricultural land availability. We believe that multiple culture and/or intercropping experimentation designs, integration in southern countries agricultural practices, could partially overcame fertile soil pressure issues. The main types of intercropping include mixed intercropping, row intercropping and strip intercropping. Here we assessed maize/cowpea intercropping patterns as well as maize monoculture systems. For this purpose, experimental dispositive is as following; 5 parcels including sole maize plants, 5 parcels with alternation of maize and cowpea plots on the same row (strip intercropping) and 5 parcels including maize and cowpea alternation rows (row intercropping), by a computational statistical approach with the purpose to promote mixed crops practices in contrasting fertile soil availability concerns, optimizing maize plants growth process. Growth data (plant height and plant leave number) apropos 52 maize plants for each above described experimental sites were collected during 9 weeks and processed by own R script, including descriptive and analytical statistical surveys. Findings clearly shown a positive impact of intercropping practices in accelerating maize early growth process. Maize and cowpea rows intercropping exhibited a good performance in term of accelerating maize growth process as opposite to maize monoculture (p<0.03) and maize/cowpea strip intercropping parcels (p<0.001). This study highlighted the usefulness mixed cultures intercropping system based on maize/cowpea rows alternation planting pattern in improving maize early development and as well promoted experimental design as a valuable solution in agronomical research for contrasting agricultural concerns vis-a-vis of limited productive and as well low fertile ground resources.

Management priorities of digital health service start-ups in California

Digitalisation has revolutionised health service delivery, which has provided global business opportunities for start-ups that specialise in digital innovations. Such start-ups challenge the traditional healthcare service industry by introducing radical and sustainable innovations in the agile product development cycle and the creative acquisition of resources within their networks. Starting up is the most critical period in establishing a new digital health service company. However, little is known about the critical early growth processes of newly established digital healthcare service businesses. The aim of this study is to clarify the experience-based priorities of managers of digital health service businesses in California during the critical start-up stage. Based on this multiple case study, the qualitative and contextual characteristics of growth in California-based digital health service start-ups were clarified, and a framework of management priorities was formed. Network management is a high priority in digital service start-ups that are focused on bringing radical innovations to the complex and hard-to-access market where fundraising is an integral part of success.

Millisecond CdS nanocrystal nucleation and growth studied by microfluidics with in situ spectroscopy

Microfluidic methods allowing fast mixing allow studying fast chemical reactions on the millisecond time scale. Here the kinetics of nucleation and growth of thioglycerol- and l-cysteine-capped CdS quantum dots is investigated using a continuous-flow microfluidic device in combination with in situ microscopy and spectroscopic techniques. A microfluidic device is developed to three-dimensionally focus a central aqueous Cd2+-stream, which is completely enclosed by a water buffer layer, into a stream of aqueous S2−. Diffusion-limited nucleation and growth of CdS nanoparticles occurs in the buffer layer downstream the reaction channel which can be followed by in situ confocal laser scanning microscopy and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy on the time scale of the first 1–100 ms, giving direct and unique insights into early colloidal crystal nucleation and growth processes.

The elastic modulus and collagen of sclera increase during the early growth process.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the elastic modulus and collagen in scleral tissues of different ages. The eyeballs of 1-, 2- and 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were obtained to assess three regions of the sclera-anterior, equatorial and posterior. The three regions of the scleral tissues were then separately divided into four groups. The first group was made into scleral strips for elastic modulus measurement using an Instron 5544. The second group was HE stained for observation of the scleral structures. The third group was used for electron microscopy to observe the size distribution of collagen fibrils. The last group was homogenized and the concentration of hydroxyproline was measured to determine the collagen content. The elastic modulus and diameters of the collagen fibrils of each scleral region increased with age, while the number of scleral fibroblasts decreased. The posterior sclera had a looser collagen fibrils arrangement, less collagen and a lower elastic modulus than the anterior and equatorial sclera. The structure across the scleral regions changed constantly, and the diameter of the scleral collagen fibrils increased during the early growth process, which led to the improvement of the elastic modulus of the scleral tissues. The posterior sclera had a looser collagen fibril arrangement, less collagen and lower elastic modulus than the anterior and equatorial sclera; this finding may explain several physiological and pathological uncertainties of the sclera, such as emmetropization, posterior sclera expanding and myopia.

Modeling complex entrepreneurial processes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to suggest a bibliometric method for designing agent-based models (ABMs) in entrepreneurship research. The application of this method is illustrated with an exemplary agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) regarding the early venture growth process. This bibliometric approach invigorates the utilization of ABMS as a viable research methodology in process-oriented entrepreneurship research.Design/methodology/approachIn the bibliometric method, a domain corpus composed of scholarly articles is established and systematically analyzed through co-word analysis to discern essential concepts (i.e. agents, objects, and contexts) and their interrelations. The usefulness of the bibliometric method is elucidated by constructing an illustrative ABMS.FindingsThe bibliometric method for designing ABMs identifies essential concepts in the entrepreneurship literature and provides contexts in which the concepts are interrelated. The illustrative ABMS based on these concepts and interrelations accurately and consistently reproduces the emergence of power-law distributions in venture outcomes consistent with empirical evidence, implying further merit to bibliometric procedures.Practical implicationsThe proposed method can be used not only to build simple models with essential concepts, but also to build more complex models that take a large number of concepts and their interrelations into consideration.Originality/valueThis study proposes a bibliometric method for designing ABMs. The proposed method extends similar procedures that are limited to thematic or cluster analysis by examining the semantic contexts in which the concepts co-occur. This research suggests that ABMS from bibliographic sources can be built and validated with empirical evidence. Several considerations are provided for the combined utilization of the bibliometric method and ABMS in entrepreneurship.